Drop-curtain.



No. 876,844. PATENTED JAN.14, 1908.

M. L. SICKLES,- DROP CURTAIN.

APPLICATION FILED FBBJZ B, 1907.

. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. 5 -Z-- 1 THE IvaRRls PETERS GIL-WASHINGTON, D c- PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908.

M. L. SICKLES.

DROP CURTAIN.

APPLIGATIQN FILED FEB. 2a. 1907.

2 SHEBTSSHIEET 2.

Qwi/Wveeoca THE "cams PETERS cc-, WASHINGYON, n. c.

MARCUS L. SIOKLES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DROP-CURTAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1908.

Application filed February 28, 1907- Serial No. 359,882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARcUs L. SIoKLEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drop-Curtains; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in theatrical drop curtains.

The object of the invention isto provide a drop curtain of this character constructed and arranged so that the scene pictured thereon may be quickly transformed to dis close a different scene.

A further object is to provide a drop curtain which will be simple, strong and durable in construction, easily operated, reliable and Well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is an outer side view of a drop curtain constructed in accordance with the invention,

showing the scene arranged to exhibit the exterior of a house; Fig. 2 1s a slmilar view,

showing the same arranged to exhibit the interior of the house; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the curtain with the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar view with the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, showing in full lines the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 1 .and in dotted lines the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a rear view of the curtain.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the curtain which may be of any desired construction and arranged and supported upon the stage in any suitable manner. On the curtain is arranged the desired picture, which, in the present instance, represents the exterior view of a building or house.

Hinged to a portion of the curtain in any suitable manner are a series of flaps 2 adapted to be opened and closed upon the curtain by means of operating cords or cables 3 whichare connected to said flaps curtain to operate the same.

and pass through apertures 4 in the curtain to the rear side thereof within convenient reach of the attendants stationed behind the There may be any desired number of flaps and the outer sides of the same are painted. so that when the flaps are folded inwardly onto the curtain the outer sides of the flap form a part of the picture represented on the curtain and conceal portions of a second picture painted on the curtain.

In the present instance, the outer sides of the flaps are painted or decorated so that when closed or folded upon the curtain. will form a part of the house pictured thereon.

On the curtain beneath the flaps is pictured the interior arrangement of a room in the house shown on the curtain, so that when the flaps are swung outwardly to an open position the interior arrangement of the room, is brought into view. The inner sides of the flaps are painted or decorated to conform with the interior view of the room which is disclosed by the opening the flaps.

, In carrying out the invention as shown in the present instance I employ a pair of side flaps 5, to which adjacent to their lower ends are connected the opening cords or cables 3. The side flaps 5 are also provided with closing cords 6 that are connected to the inner sides thereof adjacent to their lower ends and extend back through the apertures 7 to the rear side of the curtain in position to be grasped by the attendants to draw the side flaps back to a closed position. In addition to the side flaps 5 is shown a lower downwardly and outwardly opening flap 8 that is held up in a closed position by means of the side flaps 5, which are swung over onto the outer side thereof, as shown. When the side flaps are swung open by the cords 3, the flap 8 will drop down by gravity to an open position. The operating cords 3 connected to the flap 8 are used simply for drawing the flap upwardly to a closed position, as will be understood. In addition to the side and bottom flaps is also shown a top flap 9, which when in an open position is adapted to rest upon the upper ends of the open side flaps and when in a closed position is adapted to cover or project over the closed or folded side flaps, as shown. The operating cord 3 for the top flap is employed for raising or opening the latter, said flap dropping to a closed position by gravity when the side flaps are swung to a closed position from beneath the same.

While I have herein shown the invention as arranged in connection with the picture of a building to show the outer and interior arrangement thereof, I do not wish to be understood as confining the invention to this particular scene, as it is obvious that the invention may be applied to the representation of any object upon a curtain for the purpose of quickly changing the scene illustrated thereon.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. A theatrical drop curtain having portions of two different scenes depicted thereon, a plurality of flaps hingedly attached to the curtain and having upon their opposite sides scenic representations respective y complemental to the portions of the two scenes plpon the curtain, and means for moving the aps.

2. A theatrical drop curtain havingportions of two different scenes depicted thereon, a plurality of flaps hingedly attached to the curtain and having upon their opposite sides scenic representations respectively complemental to the portions of the two scenes upon the curtain and operating cords attached to the flaps and leading to the rear face of the curtain.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

MARCUS L. SIOKLES. Witnesses:

WILLIAM S. MURPHY, J. I. BRENT. 

